Cary Kilner

Cary Kilner's Picks: Volume 22
                    
Ray Calendar Quintet--rhythm changes
(not a tune per se)
Here is a group of players unknown to me, but it just goes to show how much talent there is, often not heard in mainstream media.
Each of these players simply kills, especially the tenor player at the beginning! The groove is clean and constant. Note how they provide space and dynamics by dropping out at various times during solos and periodically going to half-time. It’s live in a club—so a bit noisy and with poor video, but the music overtakes all criticism.
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George Shearing Quintet—Strollin
This is one of my favorite medium swing tunes from Horace Silver, with a gorgeous melody and its set of changes in Db, a very rich key. It is beautifully performed by this beloved and long-lived jazz group. The vibes play the melody in unison with piano and typically does not solo. And Shearing improvises with a full two hands and close together in his unique orchestral style.
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Maceo Parker—Hard Time
In my column you have heard bebop, Blue-Note jazz, mainstream jazz, fusion, and smooth jazz. Now it’s time for some soul music with this alto genius from the James Brown Band (“The Godfather of Soul”).
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Euge Groove—Hey Hey Lll’ Lelah Belle
Here is one of my favorite smooth jazz sax players. Euge really has the true soul sound as you shall hear. I think we’ll call this modern soul but located in the smooth jazz genre. As I have always recommended, play this loud through a good system to obtain the visceral feel of happy music.
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